Canadian Chemistry by S. J. COOK Committee on tariff changes headed by H. B. M c K i n n o n . . .New institute set up by launderers and cleaners. . . Importance of in tensive program of research in western Canada emphasized. . · Canadian-made crotonic acid available in commercial quantities INFORMATION
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·•· committee to receive briefs on desired tariff changes has been announced by the Dominion Government. Hector B. Mc Kinnon, chairman of the Tariff Board and president of the Commodity Prices Stabilization Corp., will head the new committee. Tempo of the Canadian tariff hearings will be guided largely by the time table laid down by the Washington State De partment, but the aim is to secure within the next two months from Canadian in dustries and groups their representations as to matters affecting trade and tariffs. Specific advice is being asked as to (1) what foreign tariffs should be lowered; (2) what war-born industry in Canada feels it needs in the way of a postwar tariff; (3) what additional changes are required in the existing tariff structure to promote postwar trade expansion. This committee is expected to secure the basic information required for the re negotiation, probably this year, of trade agreements with most of Canada's foreign trade customers. It is probable, too, that the basic Empire preferential tariff sys tem of 1932 will be reviewed. Meanwhile the Canadian Government has under written foreign trade with $750,000,000 export credits a id it is likely that further credits of $500,000,000 will be extended t o Britain in each of the next two or three years, in order to promote the develop ment of a healthy foreign trade. Department of Reconstruction and Supply Formed* Amalgamation of Munitions and Supply and the Department of Reconstruction into one Department of Reconstruction and Supply took effect as at Jan. 1, 1946. Hon. C. D. Howe continues as Minister. In a list of 17 chief functions of the new department, the following are of interest to chemists: 1. T o provide for industry a technical and scientific information service 2. T o control radioactive substances 3. T o continue temporarily, and eventu ally to wind up, controls over timber, natural rubber, coal, motor vehicle distribution, and natural gas in southern Ontario 406
4. To continue supervision over Canada's only synthetic rubber plant (Poly mer at Sarnia) and her only de veloped source of atomic energy material (Eldorado Mining and Refining Co.) Crotonic Acid Made? in Canada Crotonic acid is now available in com mercial quantities and it is stated in company literature (Shawinigan Chemi cals, Ltd.) that preliminary experiments indicate that crotonic acid and its deriva tives may be of use in copolymerization with vinyl compounds, butadiene, s tyre ne, and similar monomers, in the modification of alkyd resins, in the preparation of sol vent less varnishes, in the production of modified cellulose esters for use in coating regenerated cellulose films and fibers, and for many other similar purposes. Launderers and Cleaners Set Up New Institute Profiting by the experience gained through cooperation with the National Research Council both prior to and during the war, the laundering and cleaning trades have established a Canadian Re search Institute of Launderers and Clean ers with headquarters a t Ottawa. Qui η ton Clark, former west coast launderer, heads the new institute. Close liaison will be maintained with the Textile Section of the National Research Laboratories, which has served the industry for many years. The institute plans to make reports on test bundles from members, offer technical information through regular bulletin serv ices, publicize the industry, and assist in policies beneficial to the industry. Affiliation with the American Institute of Laundering and the National Associa tion of Dyers and Cleaners of the United States has been arranged in order that the benefits in research and public reiatio is will be harmonized. Seek to Lower Dehydration Costs About 13 firms are now processing de hydrated foods in Canada. To ensure extensive civilian use of dehydrated products, costs must be cut and work is proceeding with this object in view. I t CHEMICAL
is pointed out t hat dehydrated foods, used so extensively during the war, will now be especially adaptable to transportation to outlying districts or to any territory where minimum space and weight are important factors. During the war the dehytlration in dustry in Canada has been held in check from overexpansion by government con trol and the products have been main tained on a high quality basis. Processors were not permitted to engage in this industry until they had made proper preparation and secured suitable equip ment. These restrictions, irksome a t the time, are now considered to have been favorable factors for the continued opera tion of the industry in peacetime. Universities and Research President A. W. Trueman, recently installed as head of the University of Manitoba, has stressed the importance to western Canada of a more intensive program of scientific research, and the obligation on university authorities to support work in this field. Emphasis was also placed on the need for providing suitable remuneration for scientific workers in Canada to prevent their migration to other countries where monetary returns for research are on a somewhat higher scale. That leaders in scientific thought across the Dominion are giving repeated expression to such views is regarded as a very hopeful augury for the future of chemists in Canada. Canada'*s Mineral Output Valued at $479,587.000 Preliminary statistics show a decline of only 1% in the value of Canada's mineral output in 1945. Metals declined $9,000,000, fuels were down $2,000,000, but industrial minerals rose $1,000,000, and structural materials gained $4,000,000. Iron ore production doubled and gains were noted in lead, asbestos, barytes, feldspar, graphite, gypsum, magnesitic dolomite, nepheline-syenite, clay products, cement, sand, and gravel. Urea Used in Snaths Canada boasts the only snath factory in the British Empire, and the Canadian product is exported to all parts of the Commonwealth. The traditional wood for snaths is white ash because it is relatively easy to bend. However, white ash is* no longer easy to get and it has recently been necessary to use other woods such as elm and cherry; in these, breakage proved high. Crystal urea, used earlier to prevent checking, now serves to improve bending quality of the wood. The snath poles are put in a water bath containing between 15 and 2 0 % of urea by weight and are left there for approximately 12 hours at 180° F. Including the Canadian plant, there are said to be only five snath-manufactur ing establishments in North America. AND
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